Post by Nevadanut on Aug 29, 2016 11:55:10 GMT -8
BREAKING ...
August 29, 2016 -- A new head coach is on his way to Salt Lake City.
Project FANchise and the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles announced the hire today of William McCarthy as the team's first-ever head coach.
As with all facets of the fan-run Screaming Eagles, McCarthy was voted upon by a fan vote. The team dwindled down over 50 candidates to six. That number was cut to five as one of the finalists, Portland Steel head coach and general manager Ron James, withdrew his name from consideration. The final interviews were conducted on August 14 by fan coach Shawn Liotta, as well as Project FANchise co-founder Ray Austin, a former NFL player. Voting then was held from August 15-21.
The Screaming Eagles, who will play their first-ever Indoor Football Game in February 2017. The team's inclusion into the Indoor Football League was announced on June 6. The Screaming Eagles are an innovative model of professional football which allows fans to vote for nearly every aspect of the team, including which plays to run during a game, via Project FANchise. This is the first time a format as such has been utilized for a professional sports team.
Last month the team revealed their official logo. The official twitter site of the Screaming Eagles is at SLScreamEagles and the official twitter site of ProjectFANchise is FANchise.
McCarthy topped veteran IFL coach Jose Jefferson, former Arena Football League wide receiver Alvance Robinson, Spokane Empire defensive coordinator Ameer Ishmail and long-time indoor football coach Brian Schmidt.
McCarthy is a veteran IFL coach who embraces the fan-run model of FANchise. He has a decade of coaching experience at the college and pro levels, including the following:
Monroe College (special teams coordinator, LB coach and recruiting coordinator (2013-15); Les Cougars - France (head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, 2012-13); Everett Raptors (defensive coordinator and front office, 2011-12); Bricktown Brawlers (head coach, special teams coordinator and front office, 2010-11); Kent Predators (head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, 2010); El Paso Generals (offensive line, coach, defensive coach and special teams coordinator, 2008-09); Mercyhurst College (defensive line coach and recruiting assistant, 2008-09); Mississippi Mudcats (head coach, defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator, 2008); Vermillion Community College (co-offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator, 2007); Hutchinson Community College (RB coach and academic coordinator).
The following videos are of McCarthy's preliminary interview, and of his final interview on August 14.
Immediately following McCarthy's final interview, I published my quick take on his performance:
William McCarthy is dressed in a suit and tie. That respect for the process impresses me. Looks like a lumberjack, but is extremely knowledgeable in play calling. When asked about his two-point conversion play, asked whether the end zone was rounded or square. Excellent question. He uses diagrams which are a bit confusing. He likes having "fan assistant coaches" because they give him more scouting power. "If it works, I'm good with it." Wants players to buy into the system, which will curtail locker room issues. Does not support micromanagement (per his father). Wants to set the tone for how fans control teams in the future.
Click here for a complete rundown of all of the coaching candidates. Final interviews for each are listed in the comments section.
- HMB
Note: Some information for this page is courtesy of Project FANchise and its youtube channel.
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Graphic courtesy of David.
